A method of controlling a programmable lens device

ABSTRACT

A method of controlling a programmable lens device comprising a programmable lens and an optical function controller, the programmable lens having an optical function and extending between at least one eye of the wearer and the real world scene when the device is used by the wearer, and the optical function controller being arranged to control the optical function of the programmable lens, the method comprising: —an optical function data receiving step during which optical function data relating to the optical function of the programmable lens is received by the optical function controller, —an activity data receiving step during which activity data relating to the activity of the wearer are received by the optical function controller, —an optical function modifying step during which the optical function of the programmable electronic lens device is modified by the optical function controller based on the optical function data and the activity data.

The invention relates to a method of controlling a programmable lensdevice comprising a programmable lens and an optical functioncontroller, the programmable lens having an optical function andextending between at least one eye of the wearer and the real worldscene when the device is used by the wearer, and the optical functioncontroller being arranged to control the optical function of theprogrammable lens. The invention further relates to a network systemcomprising at least a programmable lens and a distant entity, and to acomputer program product comprising one or more stored sequences ofinstructions that are accessible to an optical function controller of aprogrammable lens device.

The discussion of the background of the invention herein is included toexplain the context of the invention. This is not to be taken as anadmission that any of the material referred to was published, known orpart of the common general knowledge at the priority date of any of theclaims.

Usually, an eyewear equipment wearer wishing to have an eyewearequipment goes to see an eye care practitioner.

The eye care practitioner orders the eyewear equipment at a lensmanufacturing lab, hereafter lab, by sending an order request to thelab.

The lab receives the order request and sends it to a calculating entitythat calculates based on the order request an optical lens design. Theoptical design determined is sent to the lab and the optical lenses aremanufactured based on the calculated design.

The optical lenses are then sent to the eye care practitioner.

The current optical lens delivering process presents some drawbacks.

In the recent years, new optical designs have been invented. These newoptical designs are more and more personalized according to the wearer,the viewing conditions and the type of activity of the wearer.

Indeed, the optical requirements may be different depending on theviewing conditions and the activity of the wearer. For example, theoptical requirements are different when the wearer is reading a book andwhen the wearer is looking at a landscape. Multifocal ophthalmic lenseshave been develop to provide a single pair of ophthalmic lensesproviding ophthalmic correction for near and far vision distances.

However, the ophthalmic lens designers are known able to provide opticaldesigns that are more and more specific to a type of activity andviewing conditions.

Therefore, depending on the different activity the wearer may do in aday he may benefit from using different ophthalmic lens designs.

However, at the time being a wearer wanting to have access to moresuitable optical designs adapted to his/her different activities orwanting to change ophthalmic lens design has to carry with him/her asmany pair of spectacle lenses as the number of optical designs he/herwishes to have.

Thus, there is a need to improve the process of providing to the wearernew and most adapted ophthalmic lens designs that does not require forthe wearer to carry with him a great number of pair of spectacle lenses.

An aim of the present invention is to propose a method of controlling aprogrammable lens device so as to adapt the programmable lens device toselected ophthalmic lens designs.

To this end, the present invention relates to a method of controlling aprogrammable lens device comprising a programmable lens and an opticalfunction controller, the programmable lens having an optical functionand extending between at least one eye of the wearer and the real worldscene when the device is used by the wearer, and the optical functioncontroller being arranged to control the optical function of theprogrammable lens, the method comprising:

-   -   an optical function data receiving step during which optical        function data relating to the optical function of the        programmable lens is received by the optical function        controller,    -   an activity data receiving step during which activity data        relating to the activity of the wearer are received by the        optical function controller,    -   an optical function modifying step during which the optical        function of the programmable electronic lens device is modified        by the optical function controller based on the optical function        data and the activity data.

Advantageously, the method according to the invention allows providingdifferent optical lens designs to the wearer without having to changethe equipment the user is wearing. Therefore, the wearer may have asingle equipment comprising programmable lenses, the optical function ofthe programmable lenses being adapted based on the optical functiondata.

According to further embodiments which can be considered alone or incombination:

-   -   the optical function data comprise a computer program adapted to        be executed by the optical function controller and during the        optical function modifying step the received computer program is        executed by the optical function controller so as to modify the        optical function of the programmable optical lens; and/or    -   the optical function provides at least an ophthalmic correction        adapted to the wearer; and/or    -   the optical function data comprise at least dioptric function        data relating to a dioptric function based at least on the        ophthalmic correction adapted to the wearer; and/or    -   the dioptric function data relate a progressive multifocal        optical design; and/or    -   the method further comprises a viewing condition data receiving        step during which viewing condition data relating to the viewing        condition of the wearer are received by the optical function        controller, and during the optical function modifying step the        optical function is modified based on the viewing condition        data; and/or    -   the viewing condition comprise the sighting distance of the        wearer and/or the proximity of the objects in the wearer's        environment, and/or the luminosity of the wearer's environment,        and/or elements relating to the posture of the wearer; and/or    -   the activity of the wearer is selected in the list comprising        reading, computing, running, walking, driving, watching        TV/screen; and/or    -   the method further comprises an initializing step during which        the optical function of the programmable lens device is        initialized based on user data comprising at least the wearer's        ophthalmic prescription; and/or    -   the user data further comprise morphologic data relating to the        morphology of the head of the wearer and/or viewing strategy        data relating to the viewing strategy of the wearer and/or lens        usage and/or wearer preferences and/or the user's profile used        for a previous equipment; and/or    -   the optical function data are received from a distant entity;        and/or    -   the viewing condition data and/or activity data and/or user data        are sent to the distant entity and the optical function data are        adapted based on said data; and/or    -   the device further comprises a visual information display device        arranged to display visual information over the real world scene        viewed by the wearer through the programmable lens when the        programmable lens device is used by the wearer, and        a visual information display controller arranged to        electronically control the display of the visual information,        and the method further comprises a display modifying step during        which the displayed information is adapted based on the viewing        condition data and/or the user data and/or the activity data        and/or the optical function data; and/or    -   the data are encrypted.

The invention also relates to a network system comprising at least aprogrammable lens device and a distant entity, the programmable lensdevice and the distant entity being configured so as to communicate onewith the other, and the distant entity comprising storing means adaptedto store at least one computer program product comprising one or morestored sequences of instructions that when executed by the opticalfunction controller of the programmable lens device, causes the opticalfunction controller to adapt the optical function at least according tothe user's ophthalmic prescription.

The invention further relates to a network system comprising at least aprogrammable lens device and a distant entity, the programmable lensdevice and the distant entity being configured so as to communicate onewith the other, and the distant entity comprising storing means adaptedto store dioptric functions, for example optical designs, for example ina data base.

According to a further aspect, the invention relates to a computerprogram product comprising one or more stored sequences of instructionsthat are accessible to a processor and which, when executed by theprocessor, causes the processor to carry out the steps of the methodaccording to the invention.

The invention further relates to a computer readable medium carrying oneor more sequences of instructions of the computer program productaccording to the invention.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a program which makes a computerexecute the method of the invention.

The invention also relates to a computer-readable storage medium havinga program recorded thereon; where the program makes the computer executethe method of the invention.

The invention further relates to a device comprising a processor adaptedto store one or more sequence of instructions and to carry out at leastone of the steps of the method according to the invention.

Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the followingdiscussions, it is appreciated that throughout the specificationdiscussions utilizing terms such as “computing”, “calculating”,“generating”, or the like, refer to the action and/or processes of acomputer or computing system, or similar electronic computing device,that manipulate and/or transform data represented as physical, such aselectronic, quantities within the computing system's registers and/ormemories into other data similarly represented as physical quantitieswithin the computing system's memories, registers or other suchinformation storage, transmission or display devices.

Embodiments of the present invention may include apparatuses forperforming the operations herein. This apparatus may be speciallyconstructed for the desired purposes, or it may comprise a generalpurpose computer or a Field Programmable Gate Array (“FPGA”) or DigitalSignal Processor (“DSP”) selectively activated or reconfigured by acomputer program stored in the computer. Such a computer program may bestored in a computer readable storage medium, such as, but is notlimited to, any type of disk including floppy disks, optical disks,CD-ROMs, magnetic-optical disks, read-only memories (ROMs), randomaccess memories (RAMs) electrically programmable read-only memories(EPROMs), electrically erasable and programmable read only memories(EEPROMs), magnetic or optical cards, or any other type of mediasuitable for storing electronic instructions, and capable of beingcoupled to a computer system bus.

The processes and displays presented herein are not inherently relatedto any particular computer or other apparatus. Various general purposesystems may be used with programs in accordance with the teachingsherein, or it may prove convenient to construct a more specializedapparatus to perform the desired method. The desired structure for avariety of these systems will appear from the description below. Inaddition, embodiments of the present invention are not described withreference to any particular programming language. It will be appreciatedthat a variety of programming languages may be used to implement theteachings of the inventions as described herein.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following description of non-limitative embodiments,with reference to the attached drawing in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a programmable lens device used in a method accordingto the invention,

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the programmable device according to FIG.1,

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of different steps of a method according to theinvention,

FIG. 4 represents a networked data-processing device according to theinvention, and

FIG. 5 represents a schematic representation of a programmable lenscontrolled by the method according to the invention.

The present invention relates to a method of controlling a programmablelens device, an example of programmable lens device is represented onFIG. 1.

The programmable lens device represented on FIG. 1 comprises a frame 3and two programmable lenses, respectively denoted 1 and 2 for the rightand left lens. The frame 3 holds the lenses 1 and 2 in relative fixedpositions, and allows placing them is front of the eyes of the wearer ina manner which remains substantially constant during successive periodof use. The lenses 1 and 2 can be permanently assembled into the frame 3using one of the assembly methods known to opticians.

The programmable lenses 1 and 3 are lenses whose optical function can becontrolled by an optical function controller.

In the sense of the invention, the optical function corresponds to afunction providing for each gaze direction the effect of the opticallens on the light ray passing through the optical lens.

The optical function may comprise as dioptric function, lightabsorption, polarizing capability, reinforcement of contrast capacity,etc. . . . .

The dioptric function corresponds to the optical lens power (mean power,astigmatism etc. . . . ) as a function of the gaze direction.

The wording “optical design” is a widely used wording known from the manskilled in the art in ophthalmic domain to designate the set ofparameters allowing to define a dioptric function of an ophthalmic lens;each ophthalmic lens designer has its own designs, particularly forprogressive ophthalmic lenses. As for an example, a progressiveophthalmic lens “design” results of an optimization of a progressivesurface so as to restore a presbyope's ability to see clearly at alldistances but also to optimally respect all physiological visualfunctions such as foveal vision, extra-foveal vision, binocular visionand to minimize unwanted astigmatisms. For example, a progressive lensdesign comprises:

-   -   a power profile along the main gaze directions (meridian line)        used by the lens wearer during day life activities,    -   distributions of powers (mean power, astigmatism, . . . ) on the        sides of the lens, that is to say away from the main gaze        direction.

These optical characteristics are part of the “designs” defined andcalculated by ophthalmic lens designers and that are provided with theprogressive lenses.

Progressive lens “optical designs” are tested through rigorous trialsbefore being commercialized.

In the example of FIG. 1, the lenses 1 and 2 comprise a set of cellsjuxtaposed parallel to a surface of each optical lens, forming so calledpixelated optical elements.

Such pixelated optical element can also have various optical functions,such as dioptric function, light absorption, polarizing capability,reinforcement of contrast capacity, etc. . . . .

The dioptric function of the optical element can be characterized by anoptical phase-shift distribution for a given monochromatic light wavewhich crosses the optical element.

In a general way, the transparent optical element has a surface whichextends transversally compared to an optical axis. An average directionof propagation of the light wave can then be selected to be superimposedon this axis, and the optical phase-shift distribution can be giveninside the surface element.

In case of pixelates optical elements, optical phase-shift has discretevalues which are carried out in point which constitute a sampling of theuseable surface of the transparent optical element.

It is well-known that optical phase-shift Δφ for a monochromatic lightwave is equal to the product of the double of number pi by the length ofcrossing L of each cell, and by the difference between the value n ofrefraction index of the transparent material which fills the cell andthe value of the air refraction index and by the inverse wavelength λ.In other words:

A way of carrying out the transparent optical element can then consistin varying the refraction index value of fill material of the cellsbetween different cells of the optical element. In this case, all thecells can have the same depth, which is measured according to theoptical axis of the element.

Referring to FIG. 2, the programmable lens device may comprise aprocessing circuit comprising a processor 40. Processor 40 can compriseone or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, and other analog and/ordigital circuit components configured to perform the functions describedherein. Processor 40 may comprise one or more memories (e.g., randomaccess memory, read only memory, flash, etc.) configured to storesoftware applications provided during manufacture or subsequent tomanufacture by the user or by a distributor of the programmable lensdevice and/or data, for example optical function data.

In one embodiment, processor 40 can comprise an optical functioncontroller configured to run a variety of applications and a second,radio processor on a separate chip or as part of a dual-core chip withthe optical function controller.

The radio processor may be configured to operate communicationfunctionality. Programmable lens device can be configured for cellularradio telephone communication, such as Code Division Multiple Access(CDMA), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Third Generation(3G) systems such as Wide-Band CDMA (WCDMA), or other cellular radiotelephone technologies. Device 10 can further be configured for datacommunication functionality, for example, via GSM with General PacketRadio Service (GPRS) systems (GSM/GPRS), CDMA/1×RTT systems, EnhancedData Rates for Global Evolution (EDGE) systems, Evolution Data Only orEvolution Data Optimized (EV-DO), and/or other data communicationtechnologies.

The programmable lens device 10 comprises a receiver 38 which comprisesanalog and/or digital electrical components configured to receive andtransmit wireless signals via antenna 22 to provide data communicationswith a fixed wireless access point, such as a cellular telephone tower,in conjunction with a network carrier, such as, Verizon Wireless,Sprint, etc. The programmable lens device 10 can further comprisecircuitry to provide communication over a local area network, such asEthernet or according to an IEEE 802.11x standard or a personal areanetwork, such as a Bluetooth or infrared communication technology.

The programmable lens device 10 may further comprise at least one inputdevice 20. The input device 20 may be controlled by the wearer orcorrespond to measurements carried out by at least a sensor.

For example, input device may comprises a microphone (not represented)and configured to receive audio signals, such as voice signals, from auser or other person in the vicinity of programmable lens device 10,typically by way of spoken words. The microphone can be coupled to aspeech recognition engine. According to such embodiment, the user mayprovide information concerning the viewing conditions or use the speechrecognition engine to order a desired optical design.

The input device 20 may comprise sensors, such as eye tracking devicesproviding gazing direction and/or gazing distance of the wearer, and/ora postural sensor adapted to determine postural information of thewearer, and/or a movement sensor adapted to determine movementinformation of the wearer, in particular of the head of the wearer. Theinput device 20 may comprise a scene camera configured to acquire imagesof the visual environment of the wearer.

The programmable lens device 10 further comprises a memory 42 coupled toor as part of processor 40. Memory 42 may store a variety of data suchas information, data, applications, computer program, files, calibrationdata, optical design data, etc. . . . that may be used or accessed usingthe programmable lens device 10.

For example, user data comprising at least the wearer's ophthalmicprescription may be stored in the memory 42.

The user data may comprise morphologic data relating to the morphologyof the head of the wearer and/or viewing strategy data relating to theviewing strategy of the wearer and/or lens usage and/or wearerpreferences and any other type of data that may be of interest whendetermining the optical function of the ophthalmic lenses.

According to an embodiment of the invention illustrated on FIG. 3, themethod of the invention comprises:

-   -   an initializing step S1,    -   a viewing condition data receiving step S2,    -   an activity data receiving step S3,    -   an optical function data receiving step S4, and    -   an optical function modifying step S5.

During the initializing step S1, the programmable lens device isinitialized based on user data. As indicated previously, the user datacomprise at least the wearer's prescription.

The user data may comprise further data relating to the user and thatmay influence the optical function to be applied to the ophthalmic lens.For example, the user data may comprise morphologic data relating to thewearer's head morphology, including for example pupillary distance thatmay have an influence on the position of the ophthalmic lenses when wornby the wearer.

The user data may comprise viewing strategy of the wearer. For examplethe user data may comprise the head/eye movement coefficient providingan indication if the user is a head or eye mover.

The user data may comprise information concerning the lens usage andmore generally the preferences of the wearer.

According to an embodiment of the invention the user data may be storedin the memory 42 of the programmable lens device, for example afterhaving been encrypted. Typically, the eye care professional may providethe user data in the memory 42 of the programmable lens device.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the user data may besent to a distance entity and stored in the distance entity. The userdata may be identified using a user identifier stored in the memory 42of the programmable lens device.

The distance entity may process the user data either to customized theselection of the most appropriate computer program or to determine themost appropriate optical function data, for example the dioptricfunction data most appropriate to the user.

During the viewing condition data receiving step S2, viewing conditionsdata are received by the optical function controller. The viewingcondition data relate to the viewing condition of the wearer. Forexample, the viewing condition data may relate to the gazing directionof the wearer obtained using an eye tracking device and can be coupledto the sighting distances. The sighting distance is the distance betweenthe wearer and the object seen by the wearer. The viewing condition mayfurther relate to the posture of the wearer using postural measuringdevice. The posture of the wearer may include the movements of thewearer.

The viewing conditions may be determined using sensors adapted on theprogrammable lens device and/or may be provided by the wearer.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the viewing conditions dataare stored in the memory 42 of the programmable lens device 10 so as tobe used to determine the optical design.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the viewingconditions data may be sent to a distant entity, either to be stored orto be used to remotely determine the most appropriate optical design.The determination of the optical design may consist in a selection of anoptical design in a data base of optical designs stored in the distantentity. The determination of the optical design may consist in acalculation, for example a optimization, of an optical design or acustomization or adaptation of an existing optical design.

During the activity data receiving step S3, activity data relating tothe wearer's activity are received by the optical function controller.

The activity data may be determined either using sensors provided on theprogrammable lens device or by information provided by the wearerhimself.

For example, the wearer may provide the information that he is about tostart reading a book or that he is about to start driving his car.

Such activity information may be stored in the memory or sent to adistant entity and associated with the user data using the useridentifier.

During the optical function data receiving step S4, optical functiondata relating to the optical function of the programmable lens device isreceived by the optical function controller.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the optical function datamay comprise a computer program adapted to be executed by the opticalfunction controller to modify the optical function of the programmablelens. The computer program may be selected among a list or in a databaseof computer programs based on the user data and/or the viewing dataand/or the activity data.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the optical functiondata are determined at the distant entity. The optical function datacomprising the dioptric function to be applied to the programmable lensis received by the programmable lens device from the distant entity.

According to an embodiment, the determination of the optical functiondata may comprise a selection of optical function data, for exampledioptric function data, in a data base of optical functions, for exampleof dioptric functions, stored in the distant entity. The selection canbe based on the user data and/or viewing condition data and/or activitydata.

According to an embodiment, the determination of the optical functiondata may comprise calculating or optimizing optical function data, forexample dioptric function data, at the distant entity. The calculationor optimization can be based on the user data and/or viewing conditiondata and/or activity data.

The dioptric function may correspond to a progressive multifocaldioptric function, according to such embodiment the optical functiondata comprise optical design data.

The optical function data may be determined based on the user data,viewing conditions and their short to mid-term history and activitydata. For example, based on all the available data the most appropriateoptical function to be provided to the user of the programmable lensdevice is determined and sent to the optical function controller.

According to an embodiment of the invention the most appropriate opticaldesign corresponding to the optical function data may be determiningusing a computer program stored in the memory 42 of the programmablelens device.

According to an embodiment of the invention, illustrated on FIG. 4, theprogrammable lens device communicates with a distant entity, for exampleat a lens design providing side.

Typically, the user data together with information identifying the typeof programmable lens device are associated with an identifier and storedin the distance entity memory, for example in a data base.

The programmable lens device sends viewing condition data and/oractivity data to the distant entity. The viewing conditions data and/oractivity data may be associated with an identifier of the user and/orthe programmable lens device. The viewing conditions data and/oractivity data are used by the lens designer to determine the bestdioptric function, for example the best optical design, based on thedifferent data received or to suggest to the user a change of dioptricfunction, for example of optical design.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the user data and/orviewing condition data and/or activity data may be stored over time andbased on the evolution over time of such data, a more appropriateoptical function may be proposed to the wearer.

During the optical function modifying step S5, the optical function ofthe programmable optical lenses is modified based on the opticalfunction data.

When the optical function data comprise executable file, such ascomputer program, the computer program is executed by the opticalfunction controller so as to adapt the optical function, for example thedioptric function, of the programmable lens.

When the optical function data comprise dioptric function data, theoptical function controller adapts at least the dioptric function of theprogrammable lens based on the dioptric function data received from thedistant entity.

An example a programmable lens device whose optical function can bemodified is illustrated on FIG. 5.

In FIG. 5, a given gaze direction corresponds to a couple (α, β). It iswell-known by the man skilled in the art to define an optical functionOF (α, β), adapted to correct visual defects of the wearer in thisreference system of coordinates (α, β), i.e. according to each gazedirection of the wearer.

The active system of vision 20 for an eye 100 of a wearer comprises aprogrammable ophthalmic lens 22. The active system of vision is adaptedto be disposed in front of an eye of the wearer.

The programmable ophthalmic lens comprises a transparent set 24 ofelectroactive cells juxtaposed parallel to a surface of the lens. Theset of cells is suitable for providing an optical phase-shiftdistribution function with a substantially constant value within eachcell.

Preferably, each cell 26 is filled with an active electro-material suchthat the refraction index can vary in each pixel independently from eachother under the action of an electric field induced by individualelectrodes 28.

The device can be disposed on a face of the transparent set ofelectroactive cells facing the eye.

Of course, the programmable lens device comprises a device 30 adapted toprovide the adapted electric field.

FIG. 5 illustrates a pixelated lens having a plane surface. Neverthelessthe surface can be unspecified. Indeed, it is well-known of the manskilled in the art methods to manufacture pixelated ophthalmic lenseshaving unspecified surfaces.

The sot of cells is suitable for providing an optical phase-shiftdistribution function with a constant value within each cell.

Furthermore, the active system of vision for an eye of a wearercomprises a receiver 38 adapted to receive, for example via an antenna,optical function data from a distance entity.

Moreover, the programmable lens device further comprises a processor 40comprising an optical function controller 36 operatively connected tothe transparent set of electro active cells and to the device. Thus, theoptical function controller 36 is configured to receive electricalsignals dependent on the received optical function data of the eye fromthe receiver 38.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the method can be used topropose adapted optical design to the wearer based on the viewingcondition and/or activity data.

For example, the wearer of the optical lens design goes to the see aneye care practitioner. Rather than having the eye care practitionerorder a pair of ophthalmic lenses, the method of the invention allowsthe eye care practitioner to provide a pair of programmable lenses tothe wearer.

The wearer's prescription and eventually other parameters relating tothe wearer, for example the wearer's morphology, are stored eitherlocally in the memory of the programmable lens device or in a data baseassociated with a wearer identifier.

The wearer may be provided with an identifier, for example a PIN, thatallows him to identify on a distant entity.

If the wearer leaves the eye care practitioner shop walking, the opticaldesign of the programmable lens may be adjusted to provide an opticalfunction most adapted for walking.

Once at home the wearer may wish to read a book. The change of activitybetween walking outside and reading a book is provided either by thewearer or using the different sensor.

An optical design providing a more adapted optical function can beproposed to the wearer. The more adapted optical design may bedetermined either by a computer program implemented in the programmablelens device or by a distant entity.

According to a further embodiment of the invention the method of theinvention may be used to propose to the wearer to try for a given periodof time, for example 2 weeks, a new optical design. After the trialperiod the wearer may decide to buy the optical design or not.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the programmable lensdevice further comprises a visual information display device arranged todisplay visual information over the real word scene viewed by the wearerthrough the programmable lens when the programmable lens device is usedby the wearer. The programmable lens device further comprises a visualinformation display controller arranged to electronically control thedisplay of the visual information. An example of display device isdisclosed in WO2013/012554. The display device disclosed inWO2013/012554 may be adapted to a programmable lenses device asrepresented on FIG. 1.

According to such embodiment, the method further comprises a displaymodifying step during which the displayed information is adapted basedon the viewing condition data and/or the user data and/or the activitydata and/or the optical function data.

For example, based on the activity data the display device may be turnedoff or used to provide useful information to the wearer.

The wearer may input the information that he is about to drive his carfrom point A to point B.

The optical function of the programmable lens device may be adapted soas to be particularly well adapted for driving conditions and thedisplay device may be used to provide guiding directions for the wearer.

The programmable lens device may further comprise a location determiningapplication, as GPS application. GPS application can communicate withand provide the location of programmable lens device 10 at any giventime. The programmable lens device 10 may employ one or more locationdetermination techniques including, for example, Global PositioningSystem (GPS) techniques, Cell Global Identity (CGI) techniques, CGIincluding timing advance (TA) techniques, Enhanced Forward LinkTrilateration (EFLT) techniques, Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA)techniques, Angle of Arrival (AOA) techniques, Advanced Forward LinkTrilateration (AFTL) techniques, Observed Time Difference of Arrival(OTDOA) techniques, Enhanced Observed Time Difference (EOTD) techniques,Assisted GPS (AGPS) techniques, hybrid techniques (e.g., GPS/CGI,AGPS/CGI, GPS/AFTL or AGPS/AFTL for CDMA networks, GPS/EOTD or AGPS/EOTDfor GSM/GPRS networks, GPS/OTDOA or AGPS/OTDOA for UMTS networks),triangulation techniques such as Wi-Fi triangulation techniques, and soforth.

The programmable lens device 10 may be arranged to operate in one ormore location determination modes including, for example, a standalonemode, a mobile station (MS) assisted mode, and/or an MS-based mode. In astandalone mode, such as a standalone GPS mode, the programmable lensdevice 10 may be arranged to autonomously determine its location withoutreal-time network interaction or support. When operating in anMS-assisted mode or an MS-based mode, however, the programmable lensdevice 10 may be arranged to communicate over a radio access network(e.g., UMTS radio access network) with a location determination entitysuch as a location proxy server (LPS) and/or a mobile positioning center(MPC).

As illustrated on FIG. 4, the invention further relates to a networksystem comprising at least a programmable lens device and a distantentity.

The programmable lens device 10 and the distant entity SER areconfigured so as to communicate one with the other. The distant entitycomprising storing means MEM adapted to store at least one computerprogram product comprising one or more stored sequences of instructionsthat when executed by the optical function controller of theprogrammable lens device, causes the optical function controller toadapt the optical function at least according to the wearer's ophthalmicprescription.

The invention has been described above with the aid of embodimentswithout limitation of the general inventive concept as defined in theclaims.

Many modifications and variations will suggest themselves to thoseskilled in the art upon making reference to the foregoing illustrativeembodiments, which are given by way of example only and which are notintended to limit the scope of the invention, that being determinedsolely by the appended claims.

In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements orsteps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude aplurality. The mere fact that different features are recited in mutuallydifferent dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of thesefeatures cannot be advantageously used. Any reference signs in theclaims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

1. A method of controlling a programmable lens device comprising aprogrammable lens and an optical function controller, the programmablelens having an optical function and extending between at least one eyeof a wearer and a real world scene when the programmable lens device isused by the wearer, and the optical function controller being arrangedto control the optical function of the programmable lens, the methodcomprising: an optical function data receiving step during which opticalfunction data relating to the optical function of the programmable lensis received by the optical function controller; an activity datareceiving step during which activity data relating to an activity of thewearer are received by the optical function controller; and an opticalfunction modifying step during which the optical function of theprogrammable lens is modified by the optical function controller basedon the optical function data and the activity data.
 2. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the optical function data comprise acomputer program adapted to be executed by the optical functioncontroller and during the optical function modifying step the computerprogram is executed by the optical function controller so as to modifythe optical function of the programmable lens.
 3. The method accordingto claim 1, wherein the optical function data comprise at least dioptricfunction data relating to a dioptric function based at least on anophthalmic correction adapted to the wearer.
 4. The method according toclaim 3, wherein the dioptric function data relate a progressivemultifocal optical design.
 5. The method according to claim 1, whereinthe method further comprises: a viewing condition data receiving stepduring which viewing condition data relating to the viewing condition ofthe wearer are received by the optical function controller; and whereinduring the optical function modifying step the optical function ismodified based on the viewing condition data.
 6. The method according toclaim 5, wherein the viewing conditions comprise at least one of asighting distance of the wearer, a proximity of objects in the wearer'senvironment, a luminosity of the wearer's environment, and elementsrelating to a posture of the wearer.
 7. The method according to claim 5,wherein the method further comprises an initializing step during whichthe optical function of the programmable lens device is initializedbased on user data comprising at least the wearer's ophthalmicprescription.
 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the user datafurther comprise at least one of morphologic data relating to amorphology of a head of the wearer, viewing strategy data relating to aviewing strategy of the wearer, lens usage, and wearer preferences. 9.The method according to claim 7, wherein the optical function data arereceived from a distant entity.
 10. The method according to claim 9,wherein at least one of the viewing condition data, activity data, anduser data are sent to the distant entity and the optical function dataare adapted based on said data.
 11. The method according to claim 10,wherein the programmable lens device further comprises: a visualinformation display device arranged to display visual information overthe real world scene viewed by the wearer through the programmable lenswhen the programmable lens device is used by the wearer; and a visualinformation display controller arranged to electronically control thedisplay of the visual information; and the method further comprises adisplay modifying step during which the displayed information is adaptedbased on at least one of the viewing condition data, the user data, theactivity data, and the optical function data.
 12. A network systemcomprising at least a programmable lens device and a distant entity, theprogrammable lens device and the distant entity being configured so asto enable communication between the programmable lens device and thedistant entity, and the distant entity configured to store at least onecomputer program product comprising one or more stored sequences ofinstructions that when executed by an optical function controller of theprogrammable lens device, causes the optical function controller toadapt an optical function at least according to a user's ophthalmicprescription and wherein the distant entity is further configured tostore dioptric function data that when used by the optical functioncontroller of the programmable lens device, causes the optical functioncontroller to adapt the optical function at least according to theuser's ophthalmic prescription.
 13. A computer program productcomprising one or more stored sequences of instructions that areaccessible to an optical function controller of a programmable lensdevice, and which, when executed by an optical function controller,causes the optical function controller to adapt an optical function ofthe programmable lens device to an ophthalmic prescription. 14.(canceled)